A little sunlight in the woods

The sun has been to visit and stayed a while. We took advantage and walked in the woods where only the gentle silent waters moved slowly and birds went about their business without a care of anything else that was going on in the world.

The trees skeletal forms were softened with moss. A green velvety coat that glowed in the afternoon rays.(which reminds me I never did get that green velvet mossy coat that I was after a few years back)
Growing upon the fallen rotting branches, moss covered, I found this bright red fungus. I think it's called Scarlet Elf Cup. What a perfect name, don't you think?

 In fact the whole place seemed  perfect for elves to live... and other creatures.

 "Frodo saw the valley of the Silverlode lying like a sea of fallow gold tossing gently in the breeze.  It seemed to him that he would never hear again a running water so beautiful, for ever blending its innumerable notes in an endless changeful music."  ~ Tolkien

Was that the distant sound of sweet singing I heard? Voices of  Lothlorien perhaps.

Even the ant hills looked a little surreal in the afternoon light, almost as if they were sleeping beings that might up and walk at a moments notice, or when the full moon shines upon them?

~*~

Our wanderings took us near to the pretty village of Castle Combe which is only just a few miles from me. I'm not sure if I've shared pictures of the village before on here, I may have done?

It's a very picturesque Cotswold stone village and very much loved by tourists. Maybe you might recognise it from the film Stardust?

~*~

Although the sun has been with us these past few days and yesterday I was gardening in a tee shirt my thoughts and ideas have been of the north. The latest two finished paintings reflect this. This one below I have slightly changed from my original drawing. 'The Jewelled Breath' available as a print from my shop here

The other painting I haven't got around to scanning yet, so isn't available as yet, but will be shortly. I will take it with me on my next trip to town. I have named this one 'Queen of the Earth, child of the sky'

It's painted on canvas which I often struggle with. It's strange how moving paint across a different surface can behave so differently. Wood and paper is fast, but canvas always so slow, for me anyhow. 

Thanks for all your comments on the last post, so sorry I haven't replied to any, I will get around to it. Time seems to be playing tricks on me at the moment.

Enjoy the sunshine! 

X

Birds

My last post's title seems rather odd now as summer most definitely woke up again. Who would have thought that we would be basking in the most glorious hot days in October.  Shorts and tee shirt weather and no need for a cardigan in the evenings.

Nights are clear and warm with windows thrown open wide and the song of the tawny owl lulls us to sleep while Jupiter shines in the starlight.
I've been busy with birds.

 

And my desk has been as colourful as a summer garden.

"Delicious autumn!   My very soul is wedded to it, 
and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth 
seeking the successive autumns."  
-   George Eliot  

Prettiest Of Weeds And A Sprinkle Of Harry Potter Magic

This week the sun and rain seem to be playing games with each other. Neither one can make their mind up to stay. The Sun has been fickle with her golden rays, likewise has the rain, showering short bursts here and there with her diamond droplets of precious water.I suppose the rhyme does say...

"Hot July brings cooling showers, apricots and gilly flowers" 

Well I don't have apricots growing here, but I do have flowers.

Talking of flowers I want to share with you this pretty one that has popped up in the garden and down near our vegetable patch. Most people would consider it a weed but seeing as there is no such thing as a weed really, it's all personal choice, we decided to let it thrive. After all who are we to judge that this  plant with it's delicate sweet scent has no place in a garden? It's called Hawkweed, but is also known as other names my favourite being 'Fox And Cubs'. :-)

 In between watching the showers and looking for rainbows I've been gradually making way through my pile of work.

Various birds, hares and pendants. There is also another whale, a couple more toadstools and another Narwhal that are still on the desk not quite ready yet.

These will all be listed over the course of today in my Etsy shop if you are interested in any of them.
I also just had to create this snowy owl. What with the last film being released, Harry Potter magic is in the air again!
(He'll also be listed in the shop)

I haven't seen the film yet, but will be this weekend. I must remember to take plenty of tissues as I know there will be tears. It's an end of an era and I'd like to thank JK Rowling for the Magic and all those clever film people for bringing it to life on screen. I loved each and every book and every film too. If like me you are yet to see it here's a taster. ;-)

                                                  
                             Giveaway Time!


Last time I was here I said I'd be be back with a summer giveaway.  A little celebration as this is my 200th post! When I began this blog I'm not sure I thought I'd get to 100 posts let alone 200!  So, because I have Harry Potter on the brain at the moment, I thought it would be fun to include a little HP in the giveaway.
Below I've collected together a few items that have a 'magical' feel to them. There are some HP postcards, a candle, a couple of moon scented incense sticks, some sparkly stones that you could use for craft or jewellery making and a couple of other stones, one which looks a little like the philosophers stone I thought? I will also throw in a couple of my postcards too! ;-)

Just leave me a comment if you'd like to be included. If you can't comment due to blogger access etc, as I know it plays up sometimes. You can also comment on my facebook page or if you are on Twitter, Tweet this post on and then let me know and I'll enter you in the draw too.  I will choose a winner in a couple of weeks time.
Happy Harry Potter watching! x